Coin-operated table tennis game apparatus



March 24, 1953 v. MOTT COIN-OPERATED TABLE TENNIS GAME APPARATUS Filed Nov. 29, 1950 2 SHEET-SHEET l INVENTOR. Ks/7700 Z. ///0// A ATTU/F/VEYS' .March 24, 1953 v. L. MOTT 2,632,546

COIN-OPERATED TABLE TENNIS GAME APPARATUS Filed Nov. 29, 1950 2' SHEETS-SHEET z IN V EN TOR.

. Mof/ k/wanl Patented Mar. 24, 1953 I UNITED STATES PATENT COIN-OPERATED TABLE TENNIS GAME APPARATUS Vernon Mott, Clinton, M0.

' -.'Ihe objects of the invention are to provide a game'apparatus'with electrical circuits and de- ViOBSIWhiC'h are energized responsive to insertion of a coin and actuate said mechanism tomove an essential portion of the apparatus into game playing position and retain said portion in such position for a predetermined tim and then release the essential portion for return to inoperative position "where it is retained until another coin is'in'serted; to provide a coin-operated table tennisgame apparatus with mechanism to raise anet relative to the table. int playing position in response to insertion of a coin and lower the net to a non-playing or horizontal position on the table after a predetermined time interval; to provide an electrical circuit-for a coin-operated table tennis game apparatus which provides positive control of the net and positioning of the net in playing position-for apredetermined time interval; and to provide'a coin-operated table tennis game apparatus which. is economical to manufacture, easily assembled and maintained, andpositive in operation to prevent unauthorized play of the game- V i 5 In accomplishing these and other "objects .of

the present invention, I have provided'improve'd' details of structure, thepreferred forms'of which are illustrated. in. th'eaccompanying drawings,- wherein: .1 .1.

Fig. ,1 isa perspective-view of a table tennis apparatus with the netpositionedin inoperative position.

v Fig-2 is a partial perspective view of the table tennis apparatus with the net in playing position, portions of the table being broken away to illustrate portions of the net operating mechanism. a

.Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view through the table illustrating the. mounting of the net supportin shaft. 2 Fig. 4 is a bottom perspectiveview ofthe net operating device and position locks therefor.

"Fig. 5'. is a detail sectionaltview through the tableon thelinej 5-.5,Fig. 1, illustrating the po sition of the net actuating arm when the net the shaft are suitably secured inthe bore: 1

Application November 29, 1950, Serial No. 198,195 (cries-e)".

Referring more in detail to the, drawings l designates a coin-operated table tennis-game apparatus which'includes' aztable 2; having "a top 3 provided with an upper surface A marked with the usual lines for, designating playing areas; The table top is suitably supported on agsbase. structure 5 which includes upwardly and inwardly sloping side and end panelsB and! re spectively, the upper ends of said panels bein inwardly of the side and'end edges of the table,

, top to. provide overhanging portions thereof which areboxed in by depending .walls 8: 1s'e-: cured to the under side of the table top at the side and end edges thereof and horizontal mem-- bers 9 that extendfrom the lower edges ofthe walls 8 to the upper edges of the panels 6 and 7. The base 5 preferably also includes legs ID in each corner thereof which extend from a"sup-- porting surface to the under side of thetable. top to provide a sturdy structure, the panels-B and 1 preferably being removably secured to said legs. A net H of conventional structure Lextends transversely of the table top, substantially midway the length thereof, the ends of said 1I'1et beingrremovably secured by suitable fastening devices I2 to' raising and lowering'mechanism such as arms 13 fixed on the ends of a shaft 1,4; which extends through apertures I5 in the walls 8 and is rotatably mounted in bearing members I6 fixed to the table structure on the inside of the boxing formed by the members 8 and 9;

For facilitating assembly and economy I'O'f: manufacture, it is preferable that theshaft 4 be made in two pieces-with the adjacent ends: extending into a bore I 7 of a sleeve 18; hich-has, a en i m I fi it r ,T eend f;

by=pins 2 I. The shaft; M and the bearings'sup-,= porting same are under the table top 3 and sinceit is desirable that the-net I I be vertical when in; playing position and lieflat on the table top, when not in use, the arms. l3 are preferably. L-shaped, as illustrated in Fig. 2, withjthe por-; tion 22 thereof'which connects the net-carrying. portion 23 withflthe, ends of the shaftv 14 of a. length substantially equal to the spacing between the shaft M and the upper surface 4 of th tabletop, and the shaft M so located that the net 1]} is positioned by rotation of theshaft Mina vertical position, as illustrated in Fig.22, when the table is in condition for playing table ten nis, and lies flat on the table top, as illustrated in Fig. 1, when the table is not in ,playingcon: dition. 1 The arm I 9 eXtendsthrOugh a slotfl24 longi- I tud inally of the table in plateifi se u es OFFICE,

the under side of laterally spaced longitudinal members 26, which are supported in spaced relation to the table top 3 by means of transverse members 2! suitably supported on the table structure. The lower end of the arm I9 extends through the slot 24 and is connected by a link 28 with the armature 29 of a solenoid 30 whereby pull on the armature and linkrotats the shaft I4 andraisesthe net to playing poSition'. A" spring 3i has one end suitably connected to the lower end of the arm I9 and extends oppositely to the link 29, the other endiof said' spring beiing connected to the support members 26 to ap ply force to the arm I9, tending to rotate the shaft I4 to lower the net I I fiat on theta'bletop as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5;? c o The movement of the net is controlled by an electric circuit 32. The electric circuit andde vices thereof are all enclosed in the table structure so as not 'to be aceessibl'e to aiiyiuiiauthorizea erson; The circiiit inciud'es a transrormer 33 having ir iput' termirials fl and -35 connected byxleads 36 and 31 r'e's'pectively to'a terrninal lug 38: adapted to be connected: with suitable sourceof 'electrie current a suitable' switch and fuse device 39 bei-ng conn'ected in the "macs- 36' and 31 'fo'r 'contrellingflow'ofcurrent' to the m put sid'e of the transformeri- The 'oi'i'tput side of the transformer is provide'd with a plurality of terminals arranged to'mave a plurality of low voltage} parallel -cireuits connected 1 thereto; A sig-r ia ght 4I is eonriected in circuit with selected termnals '40 'a'nd adapted to' be"energized -to in dicate: when theapparatus is in conditionfor operation onthat curren-tis being applied through th e transformer 33l A conductor 42 is Suitably" connected: to the output 'of th'e tlarls rormer aa and to oneendoi a winding in a solenoid? mechanism" 4-3, the other end: of said winding ibei'ng connected through 'a timer'o'r clock mechanism to the' transformerby: a conductor 45: A- switch 46 is: interposedin the' -conductor 45; said switch being located in a coin chute' 41 of suitable coin mechanisni;wherebythe swi'tch is in normally i open pb'sitiOri andis closed I rn'omentarily by-passing of 'a coin through' th'e coin chute; The coinmechanism is arranged= adja'ce'nt one of the side pa'n'els' 6; with th'e ch-ute extending ttherethrough to present" an open 1 end 48 exteriorly of the panel 6 fo'r receiving 'suitable coin's The solenoid 43 lias an armature suitablyconnected to -an arm 49 0f the-timer 44 whereby energizationmomentarily of said solenoid moves the arm -49 -to windthe clock mechanism; -saidarni an'd armatu-re being gradually returned to startingposition: during the predetermined' interval ror which'the timer mechanism" is set to operate? The solen'oi'd wand-timer 44are m unt: ed on ai'suitable support, such" as a plate 56', which also carries switches: 5| an'c'f 52 whichnormally remain in l circuit breaking" condition but" are clo'se'd at the respective" extremitie's of movement or the-arin-49, the switch 5I being closed when th'e'arm' 49' 'is moved" to wind the time mechanism and the switch" 52 being closed when the arm 49 isunoved' to the extremity of 1 its movement when the" predetermined time interval for play has completely elapsed One terminal of each ofthe switches -5 I and "52 is -connected by a conductor 59 to'the" output of the'transformer 33 The other terminals o'f the switches are'respectively connected by conductors 54 and 55 with one'end of the winding'ofrelay coils 56 and '5! respectively; Iiite'rp'osed in the"'conductor"54 is aswitch 4 58 which is normally in closed position, said switch being suitably mounted on the plate 25 and having an arm 59 extending toward the path of movement of the arm I9 whereby when the arm I9 is moved to position the net in vertical condition a lug 60 on said arm will en age the arm 59 to open the switch 58, a spring 6I being arranged toreturn the-' switchi56 to closed position when'the lugfifl is disengaged from-the arm 59. A switch 62 also normally held in closed position by a spring 63 is interposed in the conductor: 55-, the switch 62 being suitably mounted orr the plate 25 and having an arm 64 extending toward the path of movement of the arm I9 whereby"when the spring 3i moves the arm I9 to- 1ower:the :net onto the table top, the lug 64 will engage the arm 64 and open the switch 62. The othe-r ends of the relay coils 56 and 51 are connected by a conductor 65 to the output side ofthe transformer; Connected toathe conductors 54 -an-d 65 -inparalIel1witl-1 the relay; 5611s a -relay, 66' which iactuates a: counter 61 f each time the re1a'yo'56 isenergized, which is each .time thenet Il'is raised tovertical position, thereby; count ing'the 'number of "times: the apparatus is op erateds 1 Energization of the relaycoil 56 efiectsengage= ment of setsof contacts 69 and 69, andenergiz'ation of the relay coil -5Ieffectsengagement of aset of contactsflfl anddisengagement of a set of contacts-II; One of each-of the sets of con tacts:68 and n15 connected by;a==conductorl2 to the conductor 42 The'other'contacts of the sets 68 and 10 are respectively. connected to '-branches I3 and-I4 of a conductor '15-'-which'is' connected to one end of lockcoils I6 and '11; the'other'ends of said coilsbeing; connected by aconductbrtlll to the conductor 45-to' completethe circuitto the output of the transformer; the coils.- 'IB and 11 being in parallel circuit and suitably'mounted on the plate- 25 wherebyarm'atures I9 and operated by the respective cells 16 and H are movableacross the 'path'of movement of'the arm I 9," thearmature I9 'beingsadapted to engage" the arm 1 I9 011 the side =of: said arm I from which 'ithe spring 3I extends'when the arm is in position for supporting the net I I in vertical con'ditionto retainsame against lowering. movement. The armature 89 is-adapted to' engage" the arm I9 on thesidethereof from'which the 'link 28 ex-' tends when the arm is in position asishown in Fig. 5with the net:loweredr on the tabletop whereby saidlarm'ature BUIBtELlIlSi the arm I9 against net el'evating .movement; Each: of the armatures 'l9' andi fiflrn'ormalliy extends 'a'cross the path of the arm I9 and energization of the: coils 1 6:: nd :11: ithdraws said armatures from the path" ofthe arm' I9 to' permit movement ofthe same. A conductor BI connects the input side of the transformer 33" with one of thecontacts of the set 69," the other contact of'the set being connected by a conductor-82 with one of the contacts of the set II, the other contact of'the set II being connected by a conductor 83 with one end of'the coil of the solenoid 30, the other end of said coil being connected by a conductor 84 with the input side ofthetransformer' to completethe circuit;

The game'apparatus is normally in non-playing condition with the net I Iflat on the table top. If the electrical apparatus is not connectedto a source of electric current the signal light 4| is not energized indicating the apparatus is not in'co'ndition for use. By connecting the plug 38 with a source of electrical current and operatin gtheswitch 39 to applyelectrical current to the transformer 33 the signal light will be energized to indicate the apparatus is in condi- 46-, to the transformer,energizing the solenoid and moving the arm 49 to Wind the timer mechanism,the arm 49 being moved into position to close the contacts of the switch 4|, completing a -circuit for flow of current from the-output of thetransformer through the conductor 53, switch 5 I, conductor 54; switch 58, relay-coil 56 andrelay-coil 66,- and conductor 65 to the transformer.

The relay 66 actuates the counter 61 to advance same one number. The relay 56 closes the sets of contacts 68 and 69 for flow of currentfrom thetransformer through the conductor 42, conductor setof contact points 68, branch 13, conductor 15, lock coils I6 and TI, and conductor 18 to thetransformer, thereby energizing the coils 16 and "to retract the armatures 19 and 86-to permit movementofthe arm l9. The relay-56 also completes a circuit from the input side of the transformer through the conductor 8l,"set of contacts'69, conductor B2,'set of contact points ll, conductor 83, to the solenoid 30 and then through conductor 84 to the input side of the transformer; thereby energizing the solenoid 30 to retract the armature 29 to pull the arm Iii-and rotate the shaft M to raise the net into vertical position. These circuits are maintained in closed condition-fora short interval during which the arm- [9 is moving to raise the net. When the arm-l9 is in position with the net in vertical condition the lug 66- engages the arm 59 to-open the switch 58 and thearm 64 beingdisengaged from the lug 60 allows the spring 63- to effect closing of theswitch 62.- Opening-theswitch 58-breaks the circuit to the relay 56, permitting'theswitch contacts 68 and 69 to returnto-normal open condition, thereby break ing the circuit to the lock coils '|6 and Tl whereby'the armatures ,19 and '80 are moved across the path of the arm l9whereby the armature 19 retains --the arm [9 in position to maintain the net in verticarcondition. The circuit to the solenoid 30 is also broken but the armatures of the lock coilmove across the path of the arm ductor 53, switch 52, conductor 55, switch 62 to the relay 5!, then through the conductor 65 to the; output side 'of the transformer. .This energizes the relay 5! which opens the set of con tacts H- whereby no current' is delivered to the so1enoid'3fl. The, relay 5! alsoeffects closing of the set of contacts 10, thereby completing a cir-, cuit fromthe transformer through the conductor 42, conductor 12, set of contacts 10, branch 14, conductor to the lock coils 16 and T! and then through the conductor 18 to the output side of the transformer, energizing the coils "l6 and T1 toretract the solenoids 19 and '86, whereby the spring 3l 'draws the arm'19 to the other end 67 of its path of movement and lowers the net into horizontal position on the table top. Movement of the arm l9 disengages the lug 60 from the switch arm 59, thereby permitting the spring 6| to return the switch 58 to closed condition, and" said lug 60 when the net is lowered will engage the switch arm 64 to open the switch 62. Opening' of the switch 62 breaks the circuit to the re-.

lay 51, deenergizing the lock coils I6 and 11 whereby the armatures l9 and are againmoved across the path of the arm l9 and the armature- 80 engages the arm [9 to retain same in position with the net horizontally on the table, which is a position not suitable for play of table tennis. The net remains in locked, horizontal position,

and-all circuits from the output side of the trans-J former are-in interrupted condition except for thecircuit to the signal light 4| which continues to bu'rn,indicating the table is ready for further operation. The apparatus remains in this condi-' tion until another coin is inserted inlthejcoing chute 41- for again actuating the apparatus :to raisethe net II to vertical condition; i z It is believed obvious that I have provided an apparatus fora coin-operated tennis game which provides positive control of use of theapparatus for playing a game,the entire 'appara tus being economical-to"manufacture and easily maintained. i

What 'I claim anddesire to secure by Letters Patentis: w I l. i A game apparatus comprising, a rectangular table having a flat top and-enclosed sides and ends, a net arranged transversely of the table I top'substantially midway the length thereof, not

supporting means removably secured to the ends of the net and movably -mounted in the table for raising and lowering the net to playing and non-playing positions respectively, a coin-re ceiving device, an operating arm operatively connected with the net supporting means within the enclosed portion of the table, a solenoid having an armature connected to the operating arm for moving same to raise the net to playing position, resilient means connected to the operating arm to return the net to non-playing position, a pair of electromagnets having movable armatures normally in the path of movement of the operating arm for retaining'the net in selected position, switches in circuit with the solenoid and electromagnets respectively, relays foractu-j ating said respective switches, other switches in series circuit with the. respective relays and normally in circuit-making position, means onthej operating arm engage'able with the respective other switches at the limits of movement of the net foractuating said other switches, to... open the circuit to the respective relay, a, timer mechanism, means responsive to insertionof a coin in the coin-receiving device for starting the] timer mechanism andactuate the switches to complete circuits to eifectraising of the net to playing position, and means actuated responsive to a predetermined operation of the timer mechanism for actuatingthe switches and completing circuits to effect lowering of the net to non-playing position.

2; A game apparatus comprising, a rectangular table having a flat top and enclosedsides and ends, a net arranged transversely of the table top substantially midway the'lengththereof, not supporting means removably secured tolthe ends of the net and movably mounted in the'table for raising and'loweringi the net to playing and non-playing positions respectively;- a coin-re ceiving'; device; a: shaft rotatablein the: table and having connection 1 with the not supporting means' for moving :same; an operatingarm l fixed on the" shaft within the "enclosed portion of the table, .a' solenoid having, an armatureconnected to'the'op'erating armfor moving same and operating the shaft to raise the-net to playingposition,'.resili'ent'mean's connected to the operating arm for operating; the shaft'toreturn' the net tonon-playing: position, a' -pair: of electricallyoperated lock members normally in the path ofmovement of the operating'arm for retaining ther'n'et in selected position, switches in, circuit with:the solenoid and electrically operated lock members respectively,v relays-for actuating said respective switches; other: switches in series circult with the r respective relays and normallyin circuit-making.-position, means onthe operating arm engage'ablewith the respective other switches at the limitsof movement of the net for actuataing said other switchesto open the circuit to the-respective relay; a timer mechanism, means responsive to insertion of a'coin 1 in the coinreceiving deviceforstartingv the timer mechanism, a-switch actuatedat the starting of the timer mechanism for completing circuits to the relays; electrically operated lock members and sol'enoidstorelease the operating arm and effect raising of the net to playing position by the solenoid, one of said other switches interrupting the circuits whereby the electrically operated lockmembers return to normal position and lock the-net in playing position, and a second switch actuated'bythe timer after a predetermined interval for completing circuit to a relay and electrically operated lock members to release the operating arm'for returnof'the' net to nonplaying: position by theresilient means, the other or said switches interrupting the circuit to the relay and electrically operated lock members whereby the lock members thereof return to normal position to lock the net in non-playing position and retain same until another coin is inserted into the coin-receiving device.

31- A gameapparatus comprising, a rectangular table having a-flat topand enclosed sides and ends, a shaft in and transversely of the table under the table top, arms fixed on the shaft for swinging movement; a net arranged transversely ofthetable topsubsta'ntially midway the length thereof, means operatively connecting the net to the arms whereby swinging movement of the arms raise and lower the net to playing and non-playing positions respectively, a coin-receiving device, an operating arm hired on the shaft'within theenclosed portion of the table, a'solenoid having anarmature connected to the operating arm for moving same'a'nd rotating the shaft to raise the net to playing position, resilien't means connected to the operating arm for rotating theshaftto return the net in nonplaying position, a pair of 'electromagnets having movable'lock members normally in the path of movement of the operating arm for retaining the net" in selected position, switches in circuit with the solenoid and electromagnets respectively, relays for actuating; said respective switches, other switches in series circuit with the respective relays and normally. in circuitmaking position, means on the operating arm engageable with'lthe respective other switches at the limits of movement'of the net'for actuating saidotherswitches to open the circuit to the respective relay, a timer mechanism, means responsive'to insertion-of a coin in the coin-re- 81 c'eiving device forstarting thetimer mechanism, a switch actuatedat the starting of-the timer mechanism for completing circuits to the relays, electromagnets and solenoids to release the operating arm and effect raising of the net to playing position by the solenoid, one'of said other switches interrupting the circuits wherebythe'electromagnet' lock members return to normal position and lock the net in playing position, and a second switch actuated by the timer after a predetermined interval for completing circuit to a relay and electromagnet to release'the operating arm for returnof the net to lowered non-playingposition by the resilient means, the other of said other switches interrupting the circuits to the relay and electromagnets whereby the lock members thereof return to normal position tolock-the net in lowered non-playing position and retain same until another coin is inserted into the coin-receiving device.

4. A game apparatus comprising, a rectangular table having a flat top and enclosed sides and ends, a'shaft in and transversely of the table under the table top, arms fixed on the shaft forswinging movement from vertical to horizontal position, a net arranged transversely of the table top substantially midway the length thereof, means removably securing the ends of the net to the arms, a coin-receiving device, an operating arm fixed on the shaft within the enclosed portion of the table, a solenoid having an armatureconnected tothe operating arm for mov-- ing same and rotating the shaft to raise the net to vertical position, resilient means connected to-the operating arm for rotating the shalt to retain the net in horizontal position on the table top, a pair of electromagnets having movable armatures normally in the path of -movement of the operating arm for retaining the net in selected position, switches in circuit with the solenoid and-electromagnets respectively, re-

lays for actuatingsaid respective switches, otherswitches in series circuit with the respective relays and normally in circuit-making position, means on the operating arm engageable with the respective other switches at the limits of movement of the net for actuating said other switches to open the circuit to the respective relay, a'timer mechanism, means responsive to insertion of a coin in the coin-receiving device for starting the timer m chanism, a switch actuated at the starting oithetimer mechanism for completing circuits to the relays, electromagnetsand solenoids to release theoperating and eflect raising of the net to vertical position by the solenoid-one of said other switches interrupting the circuits whereby the electromagnet armatures return to normal position and loclcthenet in vertical position, and a second switch actuatedby the timer after a predetermined interval for completing circuit to a relay and electromagnet to release the operating arm for return ofthe net to lowered horizontal positionby the resilient means, the other of said other switches interrupting the circuit to the relay and electromagnets whereby the armatures thereof returnto normal position to lock the net in lowered horizontal position and retain same untilanother coin is inserted into the coin-receiving device.

5. A game apparatus comprising, a rectangular table having-a flat top and enclosed sides and ends, a shaft in and transversely of the table under the tabletop. and having portions extending outwardly from each side thereof, arms fixed on the outer ends of the shaft substan tially parallel to the sides of the table for swinging movement from vertical to horizontal position, a net arranged tranversely of the table top substantially midway the length thereof, means removably securing the ends of the net to the arms, a coin-receiving device, an operating arm fixed on the shaft within the enclosed portion of the table, a solenoid having an armature connected to the operating arm for moving same and rotating the shaft to raise the net to vertical position, resilient means connected to the operating arm for rotating the shaft to retain the net in horizontal position on the table top, a pair of electromagnets having movable armatures normally in the path of movement of the operating arm for retaining the net in selected position, switches in circuit with the solenoid and electromagnets respectively, relays for actuating said respective switches, other switches in series circuit with the respective relays and normally in circuit-making position. means on the operating arm engageable with the respective other switches at the limits of movement of the net for actuating said other switches to open the circuit to the respective relay, a timer mechanism, means responsive to insertion of a coin-receiving device for starting the timer mechanism, a switch actuated at the starting of the timer mechanism for completing circuits to the relays, electromagnets and solenoids to release the operating arm and effect raising of the net to vertical position by the solenoid, one of said other switches interrupting the circuits whereby the electromagnet armatures return to normal position and lock the net in vertical position, a second switch actuated by the timer after a predetermined interval for completing circuit to a relay and electromagnet to release the operating arm for return of the net to lowered horizontal position by the resilient means, the other of said switches interrupting'the circuit to the relay and electromagnets whereby the armatures thereof return to normal position to lock the net in lowered horizontal position and retain same until another coin is inserted into the coin-receiving device,

10 and a counter actuated on starting of the timer for indicating the number of plays on the apparatus.

6. A game apparatus comprising, a rectangular table having a flat top and enclosed sides and ends, a net arranged transversely of the table top substantially midway the length thereof, net supporting means removably secured to the ends of the net and movably mounted in the table for raising and lowering the net to playing and non-playing positions respectively, a coin-receiving device, an operating arm operatively connected with the net supporting means within the enclosed portion of the table, an electric power means connected to the operating arm for moving same to raise the net to playing position, resilient means connected to the operating arm to return the net to non-playing position, electrically operated locking means having movable portions normally in the path of movement of the operating arm for retaining the net in selected position, switches in series circuit with the respective electrically operated locking means and normally in circuit-making position, means on the operating arm engageable with the respective switches at the limits of movement of the net for actuating said switches to open the circuit to the respective electrically operated locking means, a timer mechanism, means responsive to insertion of a coin in the coin-receiving device for starting the timer mechanism and energizing the electric power means to effect raising of the net to playing position, and means actuated responsive to a predetermined operation of the timer mechanism for actuating the switches and completing circuits to effect lowering of the net to nonplaying position.

VERNON L. MOTT.

REFERENCES CITED v FOREIGN PATENTS Country I Date France Mar. 31, 1934 Number 

